CT - Jennifer Dulos, 50, New Canaan, Media, Maps, Timeline, *NO DISCUSSION*

[Seattle1]

Michelle Troconis' Lawyer Seeks To Move Jennifer Dulos Court Case

Nov 24, 2020

STAMFORD, CT — The attorney representing Michelle Troconis, one of the suspects accused of conspiracy in the disappearance of Jennifer Farber Dulos, argued in a court hearing Tuesday to have the case moved, but a prosecutor countered that they missed their chance.

Attorney Jon Schoenhorn said during the court hearing, which was held virtually as a concession to the coronavirus pandemic, that the conspiracy to commit murder charge his client faces "is alleged to have occurred" in Hartford County, not Fairfield County.

[..]

Assistant State's Attorney Daniel Cummings argued to Judge John Blawie that for more than six months after Troconis' initial arrest on June 1, 2019, her then attorney Andrew Bowman not only did not object to the case being in Stamford court, but also consented to hold it there.

[..]

"There is nothing showing that my client was in Fairfield County" as it pertains to the accusation of conspiracy, Schoenhorn said.

Cummings said that whether Jennifer Dulos was killed in New Canaan or not, "the overt act" occurred there.

[..]

In a motion filed in late September, Schoenhorn listed several items, such as underlying notes from lab tests of evidence; video footage (including video of Troconis being transported by police following her arrest); surveillance footage of a person riding a bicycle (who authorities believe was Fotis Dulos to get from Waveny Park to Jennifer Dulos' home on May 24); an unpublished manuscript written by Jennifer Dulos; the report in the custody battle between Fotis and Jennifer over their five children. Schoenhorn said his client testified in the custody case, and there might be information pertinent to his client's defense.

[..]

During the hearing, Blawie learned that the custody case had been dismissed, and decided that he would review the report to determine whether it should be turned over to Schoenhorn.

[..]

Blawie said he will rule on the requests in the next several weeks, and set the next court date (which again might be virtual) for Jan. 25.

 

[Seattle1]

Judge calls new hearing to determine if Jennifer Dulos is dead

Dec 5, 2020

FARMINGTON — A Probate Court judge says “more evidence is needed” to determine if Jennifer Dulos is dead.

Probate Judge Evelyn Daly on Friday called for another hearing on Feb. 10 — one day after the executive orders issued by Gov. Ned Lamont placing restrictions on court activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic expires. In her brief filed on Friday, Daly said she wants the hearing to be held in person.

[..]

Daly has been asked to make an unprecedented ruling in the probate case. No person who has been missing for less than seven years has been declared dead in Connecticut.

[..]

Attorney Christopher Hug, the administrator of Fotis Dulos’ estate, asked the Probate Court judge to declare Jennifer Dulos dead so he can access a $194,000 retirement account that has been off limits since no beneficiary had been named.

Hug asked Daly to override a state law requiring a seven-year waiting period to declare a missing person legally dead based on statements made by the state’s Chief Medical Examiner James Gill who reviewed evidence gathered by police and determined Jennifer Dulos likely suffered injuries during an attack that were not survivable without immediate medical intervention.

 

[Seattle1]

Attorney objects to consolidating cases in Jennifer Dulos homicide

Nov 22, 2020

STAMFORD — The attorney for Michelle Troconis is objecting to the prosecution’s request to consolidate his client’s cases in the death and disappearance of Jennifer Dulos, while continuing his pursuit to move the proceedings to Hartford County.

Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo Jr. contends that the three separate cases filed against Michelle Troconis have “cross-admissible” evidence and it would serve “judicial economy” to consolidate the cases.

[..]

“Until the state discloses what evidence it claims is ‘cross-admissible’ at separate trials then such a motion for joinder is premature,” Schoenhorn wrote in a tightly worded objection filed late last week. “To date, it has refused to provide even a particularized version of the allegations against the defendant.”

[..]

Colangelo has prosecuted the charges against Troconis as three separate cases that have appeared on the docket on the same date. In August, he added two counts of conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence.

[..]

The first tampering and hindering prosecution charges stem from videos that show Troconis in a black pickup truck with Fotis Dulos as he stopped along Albany Avenue in Hartford to dump bags in trash bins on the night of the disappearance, according to arrest warrants. The bags contained Jennifer Dulos’ blood and clothing, the warrants stated.

The second tampering charge is related to Troconis helping to clean a red pickup truck that police say was involved in the Jennifer Dulos homicide, according to the arrest warrants.

The conspiracy to commit murder charge largely stems from Troconis trying to fabricate an alibi for Fotis Dulos the morning his estranged wife disappeared, arrest warrants state. Troconis was at his Farmington home with Mawhinney that morning, police said.

 

[Seattle1]

Troconis' Attorney Denies Mawhinney Accusations His Client Was Involved in Dulos Disappearance

Dec 7, 2020

[..]

Troconis’ attorney said the day after Thanksgiving he received a copy of a videotaped statement taken at the state police polygraph unit at the end of August along with a signed written statement from Mawhinney. Neither of these have been released publicly.

“It certainly didn’t come as a surprise to me, that Kent Mawhinney gave a statement implicating my client and Mr. Dulos in the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos," Schoenhorn said.

According to Schoenhorn, in the 90-minute video, Mawhinney says that the day before Jennifer Dulos was reported missing he was at Fotis Dulos’ house at 4 Jefferson Crossing.

“The police have provided me with information previously that would contradict what was said here," Schoenhorn told NBC Connecticut.

[..]

“I’m not concerned because when he was released I just assumed he was gonna say something. The difference now is they didn’t have any evidence that was admissible against Michelle Troconis, now they have a jailhouse informant, and I look forward to cross-examining him," Schoenhorn said.

 

[Seattle1]

Dave Altimari@davealtimari

An updated version; Kent Mawhinney has told state police that Fotis Dulos and Michelle Troconis told him the day before Jennifer Farber Dulos disappeared that they were going to kill her and that they wanted him to be part of their alibi.

Accused conspirator in case of missing New Canaan mother Jennifer Farber Dulos may be cooperating...
Mawhinney’s potential role as a cooperating witness could mark a critical turn in unraveling the story of what happened to Dulos, who has been missing for more than 18 months. Authorities believe she...
courant.com
4:00 PM · Dec 7, 2020·

 

[Seattle1]

Marissa Alter[URL='https://twitter.com/MarissaAlter']@MarissaAlter[/URL]

A couple other things of note on this list--a color copy of the photograph shown to Mawhinney during his recorded interview Aug. 31. Also, forensics on a Tyvek suit found in the woods in Farmington in 2020. That's the first time we've heard of this possible evidence.
@News12CT

Quote Tweet
Marissa Alter@MarissaAlter
· 5h
Attorney Jon Schoenhorn wants information about Mawhinney’s interactions with the state including an interview he did before his release on bond, whether Mawhinney took a polygraph, and any discussions about favorable treatment if he cooperated with the prosecution. @News12CT twitter.com/marissaalter/s…
1:37 PM · Dec 7, 2020·

 

[Seattle1]

Bone Finder shows locations where ground was disturbed on Fotis Dulos' property | Daily Mail Online

1/27/2021

In last week's search of the property police were specifically interested in a wood line area that Fotis had previously discussed with surveyors when he was trying to sell the property after Jennifer vanished.

Fotis had apparently asked the surveyors if any future owners would be able to dig up that portion of the land to potentially put in a pool. The surveyors later reported the comments to authorities.

During his search, Perry ended up finding five locations where the soil had been disturbed.

It is not clear when the ground was disturbed.

He told Hearst Connecticut Media that four of the areas were near the wood line and a fifth was found in the basement of the home. Perry said the basement location was likely a long pipe that stretched into the yard.

photos at link..

 

[Seattle1]

Mawhinney To Testify Against Troconis In Jennifer Dulos Case

Feb 2, 2021

The prosecutor dropped the news Tuesday during a virtual hearing before Superior Court Judge John Blawie in which Troconis' attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, argued he has yet to receive all the evidentiary materials from Mawhinney's interrogation by state police that aided his release from custody.

"Did he sing for his supper, to use an old phrase?" Schoenhorn asked.

Cummings, while not responding directly to Schoenhorn's rhetorical question, said that Mawhinney's testimony would be just one element of the state's case against Troconis. But Cummings was quick to add that Mawhinney is not considered to be the state's "star witness."

[..]

Schoenhorn is seeking to have the charges against his client dropped, in part because he claimed in a motion that the "warrant for arrest was false or recklessly disregarded the truth, and was derived from illegally obtained information."

Additionally, Schoenhorn again argued to have the GPS tracking device removed from Troconis' ankle, arguing that his client has worn it for more than a year and half, and she has "proven that she follows directions" concerning her release on bond.

[..]

On Tuesday, Blawie again denied the request, stressing that wearing the monitoring device has not impacted her ability to work. The judge, however, said that he would allow Troconis to wear a GPS tracking device on her wrist instead, if the state's probation department offers such technology.

Troconis has been charged three times in the case, having been arrested twice on tampering charges and once on conspiracy to commit murder, and prosecutors are trying to join all the cases into one. The state argues, in part, that the cases have cross-admissible evidence.

[..]

Blawie has not yet ruled on the state's motion but will soon, he said.

Troconis' next court appearance was not yet scheduled; Mawhinney's next court appearance is set for April 5.

 

[Seattle1]

Michelle Troconis to appear in Stamford Court this morning | fox61.com

2/2/21

Troconis is facing several charges including conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence in connection to the disappearance of Jennifer Dulos.

[//]

Just two weeks ago, Troconis’ attorney Jon Schoenhorn filed a motion asking for all of her charges to be dismissed.

He also filed a “motion to compel”, accusing the state of withholding evidence he says is important to Troconis’ defense.

[..]

Troconis’ attorney also filed a third motion to try to get her GPS ankle monitor removed, something he has been pushing for since last year.

 

[Seattle1]

Prosecutor: Co-defendant Kent Mawhinney to testify in Jennifer Dulos case

2/2/21

During Tuesday’s hearing, Schoenhorn questioned the validity of Mawhinney’s statements made during the videotaped interview in August. Schoenhorn, who received the video in November as part of the discovery process in the case, called Mawhinney a “jailhouse informant” who was trying “to exonerate himself from any misconduct.”

In the video, Schoenhorn said Mawhinney claimed that Troconis and Fotis Dulos tried to “solicit him” in a conspiracy to “do away” with Jennifer Dulos.

Through court motions, Schoenhorn has sought to determine whether Mawhinney has received any preferential treatment or consideration from the state following the meeting with investigators.

[..]

During Tuesday’s hearing, Blawie denied Schoenhorn’s request to have his client’s GPS monitor removed. Schoenhorn had complained the ankle bracelet prevented Troconis from wearing a ski boot and spending time with her daughter, who is a competitive skier.

“I’m not hearing that it’s a substantial interference with her ability to make a living,” Blawie said. “It’s recreational activities — granted it’s important for her daughter — but I’m not hearing valid reasons to revisit the non-financial terms of her release.”

 

[Seattle1]

Jail conditions contributed to Fotis Dulos suicide, sister says

Feb 4, 2021

Rena Dulos Kyrimi contends the conditions inside a Connecticut prison, where her brother was held for two nights after being charged with murder in his estranged wife’s death, contributed to his suicide last January.

Facing the possibility of a judge revoking his bond and sending him back to jail, the 51-year-old Fotis Dulos attempted suicide in the garage of his Farmington home before dying two days later in a New York hospital on Jan. 30, 2020.

His sister believes the conditions of the Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown, where Fotis Dulos spent two nights after being charged with murder on Jan. 7, 2020, contributed to his demise.

[..]

“A year later, I still believe that the story, which led my brother to his death, is very dark and it deserves a fair resolution for the memory of both Jennifer and Fotis,” Dulos Kyrimi said. “There is someone out there who knows.”

However, arrest warrants in the case tell a different story.

The warrants indicate Fotis Dulos drove an employee’s pickup truck to New Canaan, where he was “lying in wait” for his estranged wife to return home from dropping off their five children at school on the morning of May 24, 2019.

Inside the garage, Jennifer Dulos was the victim of a “serious physical assault” and would have died from her injuries without immediate medical attention, according to the warrants.

[..]

The day after police discovered the bags, Fotis Dulos and Troconis were arrested for the first time on tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution charges in June 2019.

But after he was charged with murder and kidnapping on Jan. 7, 2020, Fotis Dulos spent two days at the Garner Correctional Institution, which is considered the state Department of Correction facility with the most mental health programming for inmates.

Dulos Kyrimi believes the Newtown facility was on her brother’s mind when he was summoned to an emergency hearing where his $6 million bond was in jeopardy of being revoked on Jan. 28, 2020.

[..]

But in the hours leading up to his suicide attempt, Fotis Dulos seemed to be acting normal, one of his attorneys told investigators, according to a Farmington police incident report.

 

[LosAngeles]

He was never “normal.” Wow.

 

[LosAngeles]

He was never “normal.” Wow.

 

[Seattle1]

Marissa Alter@MarissaAlter

JUST IN: Michelle Troconis’ attorney is again turning to the state appellate court to consider removing Troconis’ GPS ankle monitor. Jon Schoenhorn’s request follows last week’s superior court hearing where Judge Blawie denied that request.
@News12CT

10:59 AM · Feb 10, 2021


Marissa Alter@MarissaAlter

Replying to
@MarissaAlter
Schoenhorn has filed with the appellate court on this issue before. He's been unsuccessful getting a hearing before the court so far.
@News12CT

10:59 AM · Feb 10, 2021

 

[Seattle1]

Family agreement avoids judge from declaring Jennifer Dulos dead

Mar 18, 2021

FARMINGTON — A probate court judge will not need to declare Jennifer Dulos dead in order for her estranged husband’s estate to access his individual retirement account, according to an agreement signed this week by her family.

Jennifer Dulos’ five children and the guardian ad litem assigned to represent the missing mother in probate proceedings have waived their interest in the $194,000 IRA account, which was owned by Fotis Dulos before he died in January 2020.

[..]

The estate of Fotis Dulos had requested Farmington Probate Judge Evelyn Daly to declare Jennifer Dulos dead in order to access the money since he did not name a beneficiary. Bank regulators had determined the estate could not use the money unless his spouse had predeceased him.

[..]

Fotis Dulos’ estate has been in limbo since December when Daly said she did not have enough evidence to declare Jennifer Dulos dead. Daly had called for another hearing, which was scheduled for April when more evidence was supposed to be presented.

But attorney Christopher Hug, the appointed administrator of Fotis Dulos’ estate, brokered a stipulation agreement that was signed Tuesday, allowing the couple’s five children and the guardian ad litem for Jennifer Dulos to withdraw any claim to the IRA.

 

[Seattle1]

Attorneys agree to settle Fotis Dulos’ estate without declaring Jennifer Farber Dulos legally dead, avoiding ‘further trauma and stress’ on couple’s children

April 1, 2021

Daly didn’t rule Thursday after hearing the arguments by the lawyers. She said she’d review the testimonies and deliver a decision shortly.

[..]

Prior to the settlement, for the family to receive the $195,000 left by Dulos, who died by suicide shortly after being charged with the murder of his wife in January 2020, they would have had to wait until 2026 to officially declare Jennifer Dulos dead — or have Daly step in and make a ruling prior to that.

“There’s a standstill present over the only asset left of the estate,” Paul Knierim, an attorney involved in the proceedings, said. “The [Farmington] home has been foreclosed and the business [Folis Dulos had] no longer has value. The only heirs here are the children, who are the same heirs of Jennifer’s estate.

[..]

Peter Jay Alter, the attorney representing Farber Dulos in the proceedings, also argued that the settlement is the best “plausible solution.”

“I have the role of an advocate and suffer without the communication of who I’m trying to represent,” Alter said. “But as a parent, and from what we know from family, [Jennifer Dulos] would want the best for her children which is to avoid the most trauma and stress. There’s no benefit in prolonging this process and revisiting it in five years. There not only is no benefit to the clients, but if she did reemerge, the money isn’t enough to change a life.”

 

[LosAngeles]

Just curious...does anyone know the status of the Lifetime movie currently in production on this case? Thank You!

 

[sds71]

Just curious...does anyone know the status of the Lifetime movie currently in production on this case? Thank You!

Produced by Dan Abrams
It was scheduled to finish filming in March
https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Gone-Mom-Lifetime.jpg?w=681&h=383&crop=1

 

[Seattle1]

Troconis attorney submits motion to obtain doctor's testimony from Dulos divorce hearing | fox61.com

April 28, 2021

Additionally, the judge ruled that Troconis no longer has to be part of the Intensive Probation supervision program, but all other conditions of her release are subject to a written decision that is expected to be made in two weeks.

The attorney for Troconis had asked the court to review and modify the conditions under which she has been held on house arrest. Defense counsel released three videos in August they said bolsters their case.

 

[Seattle1]

Michelle Troconis' attorney seeks to compel court reporter to turn over transcripts

4/28/2021

The attorney for Michelle Troconis filed a series of new motions this week seeking the family psychological report done as part of the Jennifer and Fotis Dulos divorce and custody battle while also trying to compel a court reporter to provide a transcript of a hearing on the report.

Attorney Jon Schoenhorn, representing Troconis, filed a civil writ compelling court reporter Melanie Moss, who works at the Stamford Judicial District, to provide a court transcript of the two-day hearing on the psychological report meant to aid a judge in family court proceedings.

[..]

The hearing was held on May 14 and May 17, 2019 just days before Jennifer Dulos disappeared. The hearing was canceled after the report’s author, Dr. Stephen Herman, refused to continue his testimony.

Schoenhorn is asking Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District Judge John Blawie to reconsider his decision to deny his client access to the report. He also wants Moss or her successor to provide the transcript of the hearing.